Cascadian Farm Organic Goodness

Here at Cascadian Farm, we have a saying: “Feed the soil, so it can feed the plants.” Organic farming focuses on adding rich organic matter to the soil, so that the various microbes and chemical processes in the soil food web can convert them to available plant nutrients over time. Kari has outlined a few ways you can add nutrients to your soil:

Soil preparation is a critical part of organic gardening. Plants “feed” off the soil, pulling water and essential nutrients from it. Amending the soil to replace those lost nutrients is a great way to ensure this year’s fruits and veggies will flourish. Once you determine your soil’s needs, the organic matter can be worked in using a fork, spade, or rototiller, depending on the size of your garden. There are a number of organic amendments that can be added to improve your soil. A few of the most common are compost, manure, peat moss, lime, sand, and sawdust.

Compost

Composed of garden trimmings and kitchen scraps or composted animal manure, compost helps your soil retain moisture and provides nitrogen, an essential element.

Peat Moss

A commercially grown, lightweight moss, peat moss’s sponge-like quality increases soil’s ability to retain moisture.

Lime

Ground limestone dust or pellets contain calcium and magnesium to help your soil maintain a proper pH level (between 6 and 7).

Sand

Coarse “Builder’s Sand” will loosen the soil, allowing roots room to grow, as well as improve soil drainage.

Sawdust

Sawdust or wood chips from tree bark are other materials that aid in proper soil drainage.

Soil tests are available at nurseries so you can determine exactly what your soil needs. Improve your garden this year by giving back to the earth and feeding the soil.

Photo by timsamoff

During my latest trip to the San Diego Zoo with my 10 month old, I visited the “Children’s Zoo” area for the first time. As expected there is a Petting Zoo and a great playground, however there was also a cool exhibit that I didn’t expect, all about composting. I was so excited – I know, excited about trash, really? But I was! Composting is an important part of a sustainable lifestyle. Reusing waste and reducing the amount of trash that goes to the landfill helps keep our planet clean. Plus your garden will thrive when you “feed” the soil nutrient rich compost. I love the idea of teaching children about composting early on. It’s just another form of recycling, and if you grow up doing it becomes second nature.

The neat exhibit has colorful, kid-friendly displays that define the various types of composting and talk about “Compost Critters”, like worms. I’m sure little boys think the idea of a worm bin is very cool. It also describes (for children and adults, alike) how easy it is to make compost pile by providing a basic recipe. Start with your “ingredients”: “Browns” (twigs, wood chips, etc), “Greens” (fruit/vegetable scraps, garden trimmings), Water and Air. Layer the “browns” and “greens” as you add them to the pile; add water to keep moist. Add air by mixing the pile, then let it cook. Mix every week until it becomes black and crumbly – ready to add to your garden! It really is that simple.

Do you have a compost pile or worm bin? Do you involve your children in recycling and/or composting?

Photo by Kari Burks

Did you spend your weekend raking and bagging leaves in your yard? Raking leaves can be a dreaded task around most households, but if you have a garden, you might be able to make things a little eaiser on yourself, and maybe a little more fun for your kids.

"The soil is the stomach of the plant." 

-Aristotle

This quote is the basis for a lot that goes on at Cascadian Farm. Basically, a famers feeds the soil, the soil feeds the plant, and the plant feeds the people.

Each year Jim makes one huge pile, about 200 cubic yards, of compost. The pile is made out of grass clippings from the Farm and sawdust brought in from a nearby town. In order to turn the compost pile, Jim uses 2 tractors and a manure spreader. He scoops the compost up and throws it in the manure spreader, than the spreader throws it out the backend and eventually builds itself over again, 10 yards away.

One of the goals of Cascadian Farm is educating people about the basics of organic farming. As I mentioned in my last post, scattered among the lower farm fields is a self-guided tour, for folks that stop off at the Roadside Stand and are interested in learning a little bit more about what goes on at the Farm.

Since some of you might never make it to the amazing Skagit Valley, I thought I would take you though a part of the Farm Tour here on the blog. It's a little technical, but also pretty darn interesting!